Germany's centre-left Social Democrats voted Sunday (21 January) to begin formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, bringing Europe's top economy a step closer to a new government after months of deadlock.

Leading members of Germany's Social Democrats said on Sunday (14 January) they would press for improvements to a coalition blueprint agreed with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, seeking to win over sceptical party members who can torpedo the deal.

Trade deals TTIP and CETA are particularly controversial in Germany, where they have been met with fierce resistance. As negotiators continue to try and form a new government, the Socialists may come out on the losing side on trade policy. EURACTIV Germany reports.

French President Emmanuel Macron's EU reform ideas are a central issue between CDU, CSU and SPD while discussing European affairs in the German coalition talks. For Macron, the outcome might be of crucial importance for realising his plans. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner “Der Tagesspiegel” reports.

Five days have been scheduled for exploratory talks between the CDU, CSU and SPD to negotiate the formation of a new German government. In case there is a common declaration at the end of the negotiation marathon, it nevertheless is still unclear, if the parties will agree to form a government coalition. EURACTIV Germany reports.

The future of the EU will be one of the key issues for the coalition talks in Berlin, admitted Manfred Weber, the leader the centre-right European Peoples' Party group and member of the Christian Social Union (CSU) – the Bavarian sister party to the Christian-Democrats (CDU).

Seven months after his election, Emmanuel Macron has established himself as a force on the world stage. While some see in him the new "leader of Europe", the Franco-German tandem remains remains crucial to implement his ideas. EURACTIV Germany's media partner "Der Tagesspiegel" reports.

Senior members of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives on Saturday (9 December) rejected the vision for a "United States of Europe" put forward by the Social Democrats (SPD), with whom they are hoping to form a governing coalition.

Germany's Social Democrats, the country's second strongest party, agreed Thursday (7 December) to kick off exploratory talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives that could lead to a new coalition government early next year.

Wolfgang Kubicki has known the political business for more than 30 years. Such an experienced man, one could assume, makes no rookie mistakes. If someone like him wants to spread a message, he exactly knows what he is doing. EURACTIV Germany's media partner "Der Tagesspiegel" reports.

To be or not to be in a grand coalition: that is the question. Initially rejected by SPD, a grand coalition now looks like the only chance to solve Germany’s problems, which can in turn give a boost to the much-needed post-Brexit EU reforms.

Germany moved a step towards resolving its political crisis on Friday (24 November) when the Social Democrats (SPD) said they were ready to hold talks with caretaker Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a sign they might offer the veteran leader their key support.

Many saw the last German government as a tanker ship cruising stolidly and unswervingly through the stormy seas of world politics. But in the past few weeks, it has looked like the German ship and Captain Angela Merkel are about to start rolling and listing.

It is not clear whether the Council will be able to state in December that sufficient progress in Brexit talks has been made, David McAllister, who chairs the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, told EURACTIV.

After talks between Germany's four main political parties collapsed, the acting government's capacity to participate in EU-level decisions is limited. But important progress still needs to be made to pursue the reform process within the EU. EURACTIV Germany reports.

No matter which parties will eventually form a coalition, Germany’s next government will continue with an agenda of ecological modernisation, writes Arne Jungjohann. Based on exploratory coalition talks, he explains how such an agenda could look like.